Baku: The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved an allocation of $250 million for the Glaciers to Farms program, an ambitious adaptation initiative spearheaded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). This program aims to develop resilient water and agriculture systems for vulnerable communities situated in glacier-dependent regions of Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Pakistan, as stated by ADB to APA-Economics.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the GCF’s contribution will primarily be in the form of grants, complementing a $3.25 billion investment from ADB over the next decade. This funding will support a series of projects identified by the participating countries. The projects aim to improve agricultural productivity through efficient irrigation, water storage, and watershed management, which are essential as accelerated glacial melt increases the frequency of droughts and floods.
Yasmin Siddiqi, ADB Director for Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development, emphasized the complexity of rapid glacial retreat as a development challenge for the region. She highlighted the need for practical, scalable, science-based solutions to aid community adaptation. With GCF’s catalytic support, the Glaciers to Farms program seeks to transition the region from fragmented projects to a cohesive, long-term resilience strategy that safeguards lives and livelihoods now and in the future.
The Glaciers to Farms initiative encompasses nine ADB developing member countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These nations depend on glacier and snow-fed rivers for agriculture, domestic water, and electricity generation. However, the accelerated glacial melt poses a significant threat to these ecosystem services and livelihoods, as agriculture accounts for about one in four jobs in these countries.
Focused on four glacier-fed river basins-the Naryn and Pyanj in Central Asia, the Kura in the South Caucasus, and the Swat in Pakistan-the program spans approximately 27 million hectares. It is expected to directly benefit around 13 million people, including farmers and vulnerable populations in fragile mountain regions. The program will facilitate climate and glacier assessments to inform national development plans and investment strategies, while also enhancing monitoring and early warning systems to help communities manage hazards like glacial lake outburst floods and prolonged droughts.
Beyond agriculture, the Glaciers to Farms program will support adaptive social protection schemes and health services for communities affected by water shortages and extreme heat stress. It will also bolster the capacity of local banks to support agricultural businesses, particularly those led by women.
Thomas Eriksson, GCF Director of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East Region Department, remarked on the transformative nature of the program, which aims to improve data, coordination, and financing readiness for long-term resilience in water and food systems across the region.
The GCF, recognized as the world’s largest climate fund, approved its concessional funding for the Glaciers to Farms program at its 43rd Board Meeting on 29 October. The program’s scientific and technical foundation was laid by GCF-funded glacier risk assessments in 2024.
ADB, a prominent multilateral development bank, is dedicated to fostering inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Collaborating with its members and partners, ADB employs innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to address complex challenges, transform lives, build high-quality infrastructure, and protect the environment. Established in 1966, ADB comprises 69 members, with 50 from the region.